JP2004252470A - Camera capable of recording information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record the information that matches a photographic mode by rationally controlling the permission and inhibition for correction in printing at a laboratory, which matches the photographic mode. <P>SOLUTION: A camera capable of recording information is equipped with: a switch means capable of switching between a program exposure mode and an aperture-priority automatic or shutter-priority automatic exposure modes; a recording means of recording the information allowing or inhibiting corrections in printing; and a control means of recording the information permitting print corrections by using the recording means when the program exposure mode is selected by the switch means, or the recording information inhibiting print corrections when the aperture-priority automatic exposure or shutter-speed-priority automatic exposure mode is selected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a camera, and more particularly to a camera capable of recording information for permitting or prohibiting correction of exposure and color tone in a laboratory during printing.

  Conventionally, various techniques have been disclosed in which various information at the time of photographing is written on a magnetic recording layer of a film by a magnetic recording unit and the information is used at the time of printing.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique in which a signal for permitting or prohibiting exposure correction at the time of printing is written on a film in a laboratory (hereinafter, referred to as a laboratory) in accordance with operation of a manual changeover switch provided in a camera. ing. In this technique, the presence or absence of correction is determined based on the information at the time of printing.

  On the other hand, even with a single camera, there are many cases where a photographer wants to easily take a picture by leaving the camera as much as possible, and a case where he wants to take a unique photograph by designating his own photographing parameters. In such a case, the proper use is often related to the setting of the shooting mode.For easy shooting, for example, the exposure mode is suitable for the program mode, and when you want to take a unique picture, aperture priority, Manual and shutter speed priorities are more suitable because the photographer can easily determine the exposure factor.

  In recent years, for example, in the case of the exposure mode, in addition to the above-described program, aperture priority, manual, and shutter speed priority, a so-called “simple mode” is provided, which is combined with other modes such as a photometry mode and a focusing mode. In some technologies, the most automated and versatile mode is set.

In any case, it is desirable to be able to prohibit the exposure correction by the lab when the mode that often takes the photographer's intentions is selected, and conversely, in the mode where the purpose is to easily shoot It is desirable to make corrections.
JP-A-3-72338

  However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Literature 1, it is necessary to specify permission / prohibition of correction in the lab by operating a changeover switch, and further switch between an operation member for setting a mode and permission / prohibition of lab correction. Both parts had to be manipulated individually, which was very time-consuming.

  Furthermore, while the content of the data to be written on the film was fixed, if the above-mentioned lab correction was necessary, it would be possible to additionally write shooting data useful for lab correction such as the presence or absence of a strobe and the subject distance. Preferably, when correction in a laboratory is not required, writing of information such as the aperture and shutter speed which are set intentionally by the photographer has been desired.

  Therefore, if the data content to be written is fixed, unnecessary data such as writing all expected data is also written, so that the writing capacity becomes large, which hinders high-accuracy recording, and further increases the cost. There was also a risk of inviting.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object the control of permission or prohibition of correction at the time of printing in a lab suitable for a shooting mode is rationally performed, and the present invention is suitable for a shooting mode. Information can be recorded.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a switching unit capable of switching between a program exposure mode and an aperture priority auto or shutter priority auto exposure mode, and information for permitting or prohibiting correction during printing are recorded. Recording means for recording, and when the program exposure mode is selected by the switching means, information for permitting print correction is recorded in the recording means, and when aperture-priority auto exposure or shutter speed-priority auto exposure mode is selected. And a control means for recording information for inhibiting print correction.

  That is, in one aspect of the present invention, the switching means can switch between the program exposure mode and the aperture-priority auto or shutter-priority auto exposure mode, and the recording means records information for permitting or prohibiting correction during printing, By the control means, when the program exposure mode is selected by the switching means, information for permitting print correction is recorded in the recording means, and when the aperture priority auto exposure or the shutter speed priority auto exposure mode is selected, Information for inhibiting print correction is recorded.

  According to the present invention, permission or prohibition of correction at the time of printing in a lab suitable for a shooting mode is rationally performed, and information suitable for the shooting mode can be recorded.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows and describes the configuration of a camera capable of recording information according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the camera according to the present embodiment is configured such that a photographing lens barrel 200 is detachably attached to a camera body 100.

  In the camera body 100, a release button 2 and an exposure mode changeover switch 3, a lab correction selection switch 4, a main switch 5, a feeding mechanism 6, a shutter unit 7, a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as BCPU) 1 in the camera body, A magnetic head driver 8 is connected, and a magnetic head 9 is connected to the magnetic head driver 8. The magnetic head 9 is disposed so as to freely contact the surface of the film 10. Further, the BCPU 1 is also communicably connected to a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as LCPU) 11 in the taking lens provided in the taking lens barrel 200. In the photographic lens barrel 200, the aperture unit 12 is connected to the LCPU 11, and a photographic lens 13 is further provided.

  In such a configuration, the BCPU 1 controls each device in the camera body 100 and communicates with the LCPU 11. Then, when the release button 2 is pressed, the BCPU 1 starts a shooting operation. The exposure mode changeover switch 3 is for switching an exposure mode described later, and the lab correction selection switch 4 is for permitting or prohibiting a so-called lab correction for correcting an exposure amount or the like at the time of printing in a lab with respect to a standard value. Is specified. The main switch 5 has two states, ON and OFF. In the ON state, the camera is operable, and in the OFF state, the camera is in a power saving non-operation state.

  Then, the feeding mechanism 6 winds and rewinds the film 10, and the film driving amount is fed back to the BCPU 1. The shutter unit 7 is opened for a predetermined time under the control of the BCPU 1 so that exposure is performed. The magnetic head 9 magnetically records data on the film surface 10 according to an instruction from the BCPU 1. The aperture unit 12 is stopped down to a predetermined aperture under the control of the LCPU 11. The taking lens 13 forms a subject image on the film 10.

Next, FIG. 3A shows a top view of the camera capable of recording information according to the first embodiment, and will be described. At the upper left of the camera body, there are provided a laboratory correction selection switch 4 composed of a rotary switch and an exposure mode changeover switch 3 composed of a slide switch. Exposure mode change-over switch 3, P _E mode (program Ijiimodo), P mode (program mode), A mode (aperture priority mode), the 5 state of the S mode (shutter speed priority mode), M-mode (manual mode) Take. The _PE mode is a mode with automatic backlight compensation so that a certain degree of exposure can be obtained even automatically, and the other modes are center-weighted average metering in which the normal central portion is slightly weighted. In addition, a release button 2 and a main switch 5 are provided at the upper right of the camera body.

  Next, the data groups A, B, and C will be described with reference to FIG.

  The data group is a combination of predetermined data and has a predetermined format. Also, the camera of the first embodiment cannot record on film unless it is one of the data groups A, B, and C.

  Data group A contains important and basic data. Date / time data (year / month / day, hour / minute / second, etc.), trimming aspect ratio data (aspect ratio 1: 1.8 high definition, 1: 1.5 normal, 1: 2.8 panorama), film loading direction data ( Right loading or left loading) and laboratory correction permission / prohibition data.

  Data group B is data useful for correcting the exposure amount and color tone at the time of printing in a laboratory. Strobe use / non-use data, subject distance data, subject color temperature data, backlight information data, and the like are included.

  The data group C is data necessary for the user to accumulate data and display it on a work. These are the aperture value, shutter speed, lens focal length, lens type name, and exposure mode.

  Next, referring to FIG. 4A, a description will be given of the lab correction selection switch and the contents of information writing to the film when the exposure mode is set in the first embodiment.

First, P _E mode, since this combined even a mode that take a good photograph left cameras if, it is preferable lab correction always allowed. Therefore, regardless of which lab correction selection switch is set, the lab correction is considered to be permitted, and the contents of writing data to the film are the basic and important data group A and the data group B suitable for lab correction. The exposure mode at this time is a program.

In the P mode and below, unlike the _PE mode, it is possible to select permission / prohibition of the laboratory correction at will of the user. The contents of writing data on the film are A and B of the data group when the lab correction is permitted, and the data group A and the data group C are written when the lab correction is prohibited. Will be.

  In the exposure mode, the P mode is a program mode, the A mode is an aperture priority mode, the S mode is a shutter speed priority mode, and the M mode is a manual mode. Hereinafter, the operation of the BCPU 1 at the time of release will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the release button 2 is depressed, the present routine is entered (step S101), based on the exposure value determined by the photometry in advance, an aperture value and an aperture command are output to the LCPU 11 to instruct the aperture (step S102). . Next, the shutter is opened for a predetermined time to perform exposure (step S103), and thereafter, a command is sent to the LCPU 11 to return the aperture to open (step S104).

Then, BCPU1 saw what has been set in which mode exposure mode change-over switch 3 (step S105), to step S106 if PE mode, the process proceeds to step S108 if not P _E mode. In step S106, the data group A is stored in a predetermined area of the memory in the BCPU 1 as the lab correction permission / prohibition data as "permission" data. In step S107, data group B is stored in a predetermined area of the memory in BCPU1.

  On the other hand, when proceeding to step S108, the BCPU 1 checks whether or not the lab correction selection switch is set to "permitted". If it is permitted, the process proceeds to step S106. If not, the process proceeds to step S110. In this step S110, the data group A is stored in the predetermined area of the BCPU1 as the lab correction permission / prohibition data as "prohibited" data. Further, the data group C is stored in a predetermined area of the memory of the BCPU1, and the process proceeds to step S112.

  In this step S112, the BCPU 1 starts winding and checks whether or not it has reached the data writing position (step S113). If it is the write position, the memory data is written (step S114), and thereafter, it is monitored whether or not the winding is completed (step S115). If it is determined that the winding is completed, the winding of the feeding mechanism 6 is stopped (step S115). (Step S116), the present flow ends (step S117).

As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the _PE mode, a lab correction permission signal is written regardless of the state of the lab correction selection switch. For this reason, only the operation of the exposure mode changeover switch 3 is required, for example, when making a work carefully in the state where the M mode / laboratory correction is prohibited, and performing a casual automatic exposure snap in the middle (lab correction is permitted). With a single touch, you can switch between creating a work and casual snapping, which is convenient and you won't miss a photo opportunity.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, when the lab correction is permitted, data useful for the lab correction is stored, and when the lab correction is prohibited, data that the photographer wants to write down as data is stored. Since the data is selectively written, the data density can be reduced as compared with the case where all of them (A, B, C) are written, and the magnetic head 9 and the feeding mechanism 6 can be inexpensive. Since the selection is automatic, there is no need to manually switch data.

  Next, a camera capable of recording information according to a second embodiment will be described.

  The second embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment described above, except that data to be written on the film in a mode other than the PE mode is slightly different.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the BCPU 1 at the time of release of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Steps S101 to S107 and steps S112 to S117 are the same as those in FIG. In step S108 ', it is determined whether or not the lab correction selection switch 4 is set to "permitted". If the switch is set, the process proceeds to step S109 to set the data groups A and C in the memory. Proceed to. Step S109 is the same operation as step S106, and steps S110 and S111 are also the same operation as FIG. 5 described above.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, in a mode other than the _PE mode, the data group C is written on the film, so that the photographer can write data that he / she wants to take down as data, and When the lab correction is necessary, permission for the lab correction can be designated, and thus there is no data group B, but the lab correction is performed only based on the judgment of the lab.

  Next, a camera capable of recording information according to a third embodiment will be described.

  The third embodiment has a camera configuration substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, except that the lab correction selection switch 4 is not provided as shown in FIG. 3B.

Then, the lab correction data and the written contents in each exposure mode are shown in FIG. That is, in the _PE mode, the lab correction is permitted and the write data is in data groups A and B. Moreover, the lab correction in modes other than P _E is inhibited, and writes the data groups A and C.

Hereinafter, the operation of the BCPU 1 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Steps having the same contents as those in FIG. 5 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In this sequence, in step S105, and sets the data groups A through steps S110, S 111, the C in the memory when not P _E, the point that the process proceeds to step S112 differs.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, there is no lab correction selection switch, and permission / prohibition of the lab correction is determined depending on the photographing mode. Therefore, it is not necessary to operate the lab correction selection switch. Further, since the type and content of data to be written are changed by the exposure mode changeover switch, it is not necessary to manually switch the written content.

  Next, a camera capable of recording information according to a fourth embodiment will be described.

  The configuration of the fourth embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, but the configurations of the exposure mode changeover switch 3 and the main switch 5 are slightly different, and the operation of the BCPU 1 is also different.

  FIG. 8A is a top view of the camera according to the fourth embodiment. The exposure mode changeover switch 3 can set four states of a P mode, an M mode, an S mode, and an A mode. The main switch 5 can be selected from three states: OFF, BASIC (basic mode), and ADV (advance mode). The main switch 5 is determined based on the exposure mode changeover switch 3 when the BASIC mode is set, and the exposure mode is programmed when the mode is ADV.

  FIG. 9A shows the contents of the lab correction and the data writing to the film determined by the settings of the exposure mode changeover switch 3 and the main switch 5 in the fourth embodiment. In the BASIC mode, the laboratory correction is permitted regardless of the setting of the laboratory correction selection switch 4. The data to be written are data groups A and B. On the other hand, in the ADV mode, the data groups A and B are written on the film according to the setting of the lab correction selection switch 4 and when the lab correction is permitted, and when the lab correction is prohibited.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the BCPU 1 of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Steps S101 to S104 and steps S106 to S117 are the same as those in FIG. In step S205, whether or not the mode is the BASIC mode is determined by monitoring the main switch 105. If the mode is the BASIC mode, the process proceeds to step S106. If the mode is not the BASIC mode, the process proceeds to step S108. The subsequent sequence is the same as in FIG.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the same effects as in the first embodiment, the camera can be turned on / off only with the main switch, and the snap mode or the work creation mode can be performed. Is convenient.

  Next, a camera capable of recording information according to a fifth embodiment will be described.

In the fifth embodiment, although configuration of the camera is substantially the same as the first embodiment, except no P _E mode to the exposure mode change-over switch 3, also have different operation BCPU1. That is, FIG. 8B is a top view of the camera of the fifth embodiment, and the exposure mode changeover switch 3 is constituted by a slide switch as shown. FIG. 9B shows the setting of the exposure mode changeover switch 3 of the camera of the fifth embodiment, and the contents of writing the lab correction data and the data to the film. That is, the lab correction is permitted in the P mode, and the data groups A and B are written on the film. When the mode is other than the P mode, the lab correction is prohibited, and the data groups A and C are written on the film.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the BCPU 1 of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Although substantially the same as FIG. 7 of the third embodiment, there is a step S305 instead of the step S105. Here, it is determined whether or not the mode is the P mode. Proceed to. The subsequent sequence is the same as in FIG.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the operation is simple and preferable for a user who performs a snap left to the camera in the exposure mode of the program and makes a work in the A, S, M mode.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the member that defines the operation mode of the camera and that is related to the lab correction and the data writing content may be other than an exposure mode switch or a main switch (for example, an AF mode switch). , Film drive mode switch, trimming aspect ratio selection switch, etc.). The member may be provided on a detachable unit without being provided on the camera body. Further, the camera may not be of an interchangeable lens type but may be of an integrated lens type. Further, the format of data writing and the data group may be other than those described above. The writing of data may be performed at the time of rewinding the film, not immediately after the exposure.

  According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the following configuration is obtained.

(1) In a camera capable of writing information on a film, a mode selecting means for selecting a first operation mode and a second operation mode of the camera, and instructing permission / prohibition of at least correction of an exposure amount at the time of printing in a laboratory. Data writing means for writing data to the film in a format including an instruction data portion; selecting means for selecting permission / prohibition of correction in the laboratory; and selecting means if the first operation mode is selected by the mode selecting means. Control means for permitting the operation of (1), and prohibiting the operation of the selection means when the second operation mode is selected.

(2) The information recordable camera according to (1), wherein the mode selection means is an exposure mode selection means for changing an exposure mode.

(3) The camera capable of recording information according to (1), wherein the second operation mode is a program exposure mode.

(4) When the operation of the selecting means is prohibited by the control means, the data writing means writes data instructing permission of correction of an exposure amount at the time of printing in a laboratory on a film. The camera that can record the information described in).

(5) In a camera capable of writing information on a film, a mode selecting means for selecting a first operation mode and a second operation mode of the camera, and an instruction for instructing permission / prohibition of exposure correction at least in a lab at the time of printing. If the first operation mode is selected by the mode selection means by the data writing means capable of writing data to the film in a format including the data part, the instruction data is not data permitting correction, and the second operation mode And a control means for controlling the data writing means so that the instruction data portion becomes data indicating prohibition of correction when the is selected.

(6) The information-recordable camera according to (5), wherein the mode selecting means is an exposure mode changing means for changing an exposure mode.

(7) The camera capable of recording information according to (6), wherein the first operation mode is a program exposure mode.

(8) The information recording camera according to (6), wherein the second operation mode includes at least one of an aperture priority auto exposure mode, a shutter speed priority auto exposure mode, and a manual exposure mode.

(9) In a camera capable of writing information on a film, a mode selecting means for selecting a first operation mode and a second operation mode of the camera, a first information writing format, and a second information writing format different from the first information writing format. Data writing means for writing data to the film based on one of the information writing formats described above, and if the first operation mode is selected by the mode selection means, the second operation is performed based on the first information writing format. An information recordable camera, comprising: control means for controlling the data writing means to perform data writing based on a second information writing format when a mode is selected.

(10) The information recordable information described in (9) above, wherein the first information write format contains information that is effective at the time of print correction in a laboratory, and the second information write format does not include this information. Camera.

(11) The information recording according to (9), wherein the second information writing format includes at least shooting data of an aperture value and a shutter speed, and the first information writing format does not include any. Possible camera.

(12) The information recording camera according to (9), wherein the mode selection means is an exposure mode selection means for changing an exposure mode.

(13) The camera capable of recording information according to (12), wherein the first operation mode is a program exposure mode.

(14) The information recording camera according to (12), wherein the second operation mode includes at least one of an aperture priority auto exposure mode, a shutter speed priority auto exposure mode, and a manual exposure mode.

(15) In a camera capable of writing information on a film, a mode selecting means for selecting a first operation mode and a second operation mode of the camera, and an information writing means for changing a format or content of writing information on the film. And a control means for changing a format of information written on the film by the information writing means and a writing content based on the mode selection means.

(16) a mode selecting means capable of selecting a first operation mode suitable for taking a picture easily by a camera and a second operation mode suitable for taking a photographer's intention.
A correction that allows selection of a print correction permission / prohibition instruction based on an operation by a photographer, and allows selection of a print correction permission / prohibition instruction independently of the mode selection result by the mode selection means. Selecting means;
When the first operation mode is set by the mode selection means, print correction is permitted regardless of the selection result by the correction selection means, and when the second operation mode is set by the mode selection means, Control means for controlling to follow the selection result by the correction selecting means,
An information recordable camera comprising:

(17) The camera capable of recording information according to (16), wherein the mode selecting means is an exposure mode changing means for changing an exposure mode.

(18) The information recording camera according to (17), wherein the first operation mode is a program exposure mode.

(19) The camera capable of recording information according to (17), wherein the second operation mode includes at least one of an aperture priority auto exposure mode, a shutter speed priority auto exposure mode, and a manual exposure mode.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a camera capable of recording information according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating data contents of data groups A to C according to the first embodiment. (A) is a top view of the camera capable of recording information according to the first embodiment, and (b) is a top view of the camera capable of recording information according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a setting mode and an exposure mode, a lab correction selection switch, and writing contents according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a setting mode and an exposure mode, a lab correction selection switch according to the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the writing content. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the BCPU 1 at the time of release in the first embodiment. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation at the time of release of the BCPU 1 in the second embodiment. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation at the time of release of the BCPU 1 in the third embodiment. (A) is a top view of a camera capable of recording information according to the fourth embodiment, and (b) is a top view of a camera capable of recording information according to the fifth embodiment. (A) is a diagram showing what happens to the contents of lab correction and data writing to film by setting the exposure mode changeover switch and the main switch according to the fourth embodiment, and (b) is a diagram showing the contents of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating what happens to the contents of lab correction and data writing to film depending on the settings of an exposure mode changeover switch and a main switch. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation at the time of release of the BCPU 1 in the fourth embodiment. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation at the time of release of the BCPU 1 in the fifth embodiment.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... BCPU, 2 ... Release button, 3 ... Exposure mode changeover switch, 4 ... Lab correction selection switch, 5 ... Main switch, 6 ... Feeding mechanism, 7 ... Shutter unit, 8: magnetic head driver, 9: magnetic head, 10: film, 11: LCPU, 12: aperture unit, 13: photographing lens.

Claims (1)

Switching means for switching between a program exposure mode and an aperture priority auto or shutter priority auto exposure mode;
Recording means for recording information for permitting or prohibiting correction at the time of printing;
When the program exposure mode is selected by the switching unit, information for permitting print correction is recorded in the recording unit. When the aperture priority auto exposure or the shutter speed priority auto exposure mode is selected, the print correction is prohibited. Control means for recording information to be performed;
An information recordable camera comprising:

Images